Passengers on aeroplanes should be given more seating space and leg room to reduce the risks of deep vein thrombosis, according to a new report.

But campaigners hoping to raise awareness about DVT say the recommendations do not go far enough.

The report into health and safety on flights was commissioned by the Joint Aviation Authorities. Its main focus was to examine whether there was an increase in the average size of the air traveller and whether an increase in seat spacing was required as a result of that growth.

It found that the current size of seating space on aircraft only accommodated 77 per cent of the European population. It recommended that the space from the back of one seat to the front of the next should be increased by 2.2 inches to create a total seating space of 28.2 inches. According to the research this space would accommodate 95 per cent of European passengers.

But the report also highlighted that alterations to the seat design and spacing would reduce the risks of passengers on long-haul flights suffering from DVT.

It concluded: "As maintaining a seated position appears to be one of the risk factors in this condition, aircraft seat design could theoretically reduce these risks"

But DVT campaigner John Smith MP hit out today at the report, stating it did not go far enough.

Mr Smith said: "Though I welcome the fact that the report identifies the woeful inadequacies of our current passenger seat spacing regulations, I believe it does not go far enough.

"This report recommends that seat spacing be increased by only 2.2 inches. I believe minimum seat spacing must be increased by at least eight inches if passengers are going to be able to move around and undertake the exercises that experts tell me are vital to reduce the risk of DVT."